Search found 2593 matches

by rualexander
24 Mar 2024, 9:27am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Best tyres for touring
Replies: 27
Views: 1034

Re: Best tyres for touring

Marathon Plus have never been the best choice.
Punctures are not really an issue touring, you're unlucky if you get one in 1000 miles
Marathon Supreme have been my touring tyres of choice over the past decade or so.
by rualexander
15 Mar 2024, 11:33am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: If anyone does Emotor repair and or refurb?
Replies: 2
Views: 296

Re: If anyone does Emotor repair and or refurb?

Depends what's wrong with it I suppose.
But this place does a wide range of repairs and servicing on various makes of ebike motors.
https://www.ebikemotorcentre.com/repair ... l-service/
by rualexander
10 Mar 2024, 7:08pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: last second ebay bidding
Replies: 52
Views: 2846

Re: last second ebay bidding

Automated bidding
by rualexander
26 Feb 2024, 1:02am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Narrow sprung saddles?
Replies: 20
Views: 1232

Re: Narrow sprung saddles?

UpWrong wrote: 25 Feb 2024, 3:44pm Interesting, but I was looking for something still in production and I've never taken to Brooks. Having said that, it would be interesting to try a C7 carved Cambium. It's rubber base is meant to have shock absorption.
My experience with C17 Cambium is sort of comfortable for short distances but after that it's complete torture, nowhere near as comfortable as a B17.
by rualexander
24 Feb 2024, 1:07am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: 12 Speed Brompton
Replies: 11
Views: 606

Re: 12 Speed Brompton

My Brompton is currently a '27 speed'
BWR 3 speed hub, with Minimods triple sprocket conversion, and a triple chainset with front derailleur.
Gear range 16" - 88"
For greater simplicity I'm thinking of changing it to '15 speed' by going back to single chainring and fitting one of the third party 5 speed cassettes to the BWR hub, along with a compatible Chinese derailleur and tensioner.
Or maybe get rid of the internal hub gear and keep the front triple, with the 5 speed cassette etc fitted to the hub used for the two speed Brompton.
Gear range will be about the same.
by rualexander
19 Feb 2024, 8:09pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: State Pension
Replies: 258
Views: 20667

Re: State Pension

rjb wrote: 19 Feb 2024, 3:39pm It's predicted that state pensions will soon become unsustainable forcing people to work longer for a lower pension provision unless they start saving now to fund a private pension.
"UK state pension ‘will have to be lower and paid later’ as system ‘can’t cope’, Britons warned" https://www.gbnews.com/money/state-pens ... lower-rate
Predicted and warned on GB News by the chief executive of an insurance company.
by rualexander
18 Feb 2024, 11:49pm
Forum: Health and fitness
Topic: Does endurance sport harm your heart?
Replies: 62
Views: 3819

Re: Does endurance sport harm your heart?

Simon Willis' Always Another Adventure YouTube channel has a series of videos on exercising in older age and the latest video looks at the possible effects on the heart.

https://youtu.be/olg90Dq9ay8?si=7J46F9_RmF6cAyv1
by rualexander
29 Jan 2024, 1:14am
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Brompton 2017 6 speed convert to 12 speed?
Replies: 9
Views: 865

Re: Brompton 2017 6 speed convert to 12 speed?

You can't easily convert an existing Brompton to the new 12 speed system due to the different rear triangle design, the new derailleur isn't compatible with the old triangle.
However there are aftermarket derailleurs available that will do the same job and aftermarket multispeed cassettes, shifters, etc.
Not cheap though, but probably cheaper than a new rear triangle etc.

e.g.
https://www.fantastic4toys.com/en-gb/pr ... a-c-e-line

https://www.valeriasbikeaccessories.com ... mpton.html

https://www.valeriasbikeaccessories.com ... mpton.html
by rualexander
11 Jan 2024, 8:20pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: State Pension
Replies: 258
Views: 20667

Re: State Pension

briansnail wrote: 10 Jan 2024, 4:42pm I .This means pensioners would not have to use up their annual personal allowance and pay tax on all savings.
.
There is also the Personal Savings Allowance and the Starting Rate for Savings to take into account so you won't pay tax on all savings anyway, unless you have a high income that takes you into the Additional Rate band
by rualexander
11 Jan 2024, 8:12pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: State Pension
Replies: 258
Views: 20667

Re: State Pension

Mick F wrote: 11 Jan 2024, 5:25pm That's what I said.

The pension is generous, it's the outgoings that make people struggle.
Obviously if you're not spending anything then you'll be rolling in money 😂
But people have to spend money on essentials, which the State Pension probably just about covers for those that are careful with their money.
So it's hardly generous. Besides, is receiving something you've paid for all your life generous?
by rualexander
10 Jan 2024, 6:42pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: State Pension
Replies: 258
Views: 20667

Re: State Pension

briansnail wrote: 10 Jan 2024, 4:42pm I was reading that there is an appeal that people who get pensions should get it tax free.It makes sense to pay lower pensions and make it tax free.This means pensioners would not have to use up their annual personal allowance and pay tax on all savings.

Also the government should bring back INCOME TAX deducted at source eg banks (it could be reclaimed if personal allowance not exceeded by filling in a form).Not sure why they stopped this around 2018 bank crisis.

Also a voluntary ID card would be good.Everyone and I included will get to retirement age EVENTUALLY.Passports and driving licences ( the latter every 3 years at a certain age).Banks etc need valid ID

********************************
I ride Brompton and Hetchins 531.
None of this makes any sense to me.
by rualexander
6 Jan 2024, 8:52pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: New Zealand trains
Replies: 6
Views: 505

Re: New Zealand trains

LittleGreyCat wrote: 5 Jan 2024, 8:06pm ....and the tourist trip from Dunedin up into the hills (which sadly no longer runs on a regular basis)..
Still runs but only goes a short way up the Taeri Gorge compared to when we went on it 22 years ago.
https://www.dunedinrailways.co.nz/journ ... er-journey
Maybe if they've closed the line further up they'll convert it to cycle trail and add it on to the Otago Central Rail Trail.

Also a couple of new short train trips from Dunedin that didn't exist back then, The Seasider and The Victorian, https://www.dunedinrailways.co.nz/
Guess they started them up after they scrapped the Christchurch - Dunedin service.
by rualexander
31 Dec 2023, 4:31pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: GCN+ closes What are the alternatives?
Replies: 96
Views: 24690

Re: GCN+ closes What are the alternatives?

kylecycler wrote: 31 Dec 2023, 2:37pm
kylecycler wrote: 30 Dec 2023, 9:50pm Just used the discount code sent by GCN+ on the 19th (with the refund notification). Followed the link in the email, entered the code, so that's the first three months free (applies to the Standard package so that includes the cycling plus motorsports except Moto GP). Will be £6.99 per month after the three months are up.

Had to be redeemed before midnight tonight, though, so if anyone still hasn't, they'll need to be quick (I nearly forgot!)..
Just re-quoting myself to point out that today is the last day to use your discount code if you have one and not yesterday, so there's still time.

Ok I'll fess up, I thought last night that yesterday was New Year's Eve and until now I thought today was New Year's Day - not only do I not know what day it is, I don't even know what year it is! :oops: :lol:
I never received a discount code from them.
Got the refund but no email with discount code.
Tried contacting them, no response.
by rualexander
17 Dec 2023, 6:02pm
Forum: Electrically assisted pedal cycles
Topic: DIY Silicone battery cover
Replies: 6
Views: 1851

Re: DIY Silicon battery cover

I wouldn't leave the cover on when you are charging it, possible overheating issues.

I would have made it out of neoprene.
Buy a couple of sheets of 5mm (or thicker) neoprene.
Use the battery as a template to cut out the appropriately sized panels for each side, and glue them together with neoprene glue.

I made a neoprene cover for my thermos flask to further insulate it while it's in my bottle cage on the bike in winter, works a treat.